Historically, PhilHealth has always been poorly regulated and monitored. Its leaders allowed it to be used for furthering partisan political interests.
No wonder corruption became entrenched. If this is to be seriously rooted out, we have to look further back.
A thread.
No wonder corruption became entrenched. If this is to be seriously rooted out, we have to look further back.
A thread.
In 2004, Arroyo used PhilHealth in the presidential elections.
PhilHealth IDs were produced and mass distributed to the poor. The ID had TWO pictures of Arroyo (front and back).
Membership spiked that year but only for a year.
Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, wala na ulit. 2/
PhilHealth IDs were produced and mass distributed to the poor. The ID had TWO pictures of Arroyo (front and back).
Membership spiked that year but only for a year.
Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, wala na ulit. 2/
In the same election year, Duque, then PhilHealth president, transferred 530 million pesos of OWWA funds to PhilHealth.
This amount represented the contribution of OFWs for their health and welfare. Hindi sila kinonsulta.
Gumanda ba ang mga benepisyo nila simula noon? Hindi. 3/
This amount represented the contribution of OFWs for their health and welfare. Hindi sila kinonsulta.
Gumanda ba ang mga benepisyo nila simula noon? Hindi. 3/
Under Gloria Arroyo, PhilHealth was overestimating its coverage of Filipinos (aka membership) by 40-60%!
There were regions reporting 100% PhilHealth coverage, with more members than the actual population!!!
The NSO finally revealed that actual membership was less than 50%. 4/
There were regions reporting 100% PhilHealth coverage, with more members than the actual population!!!
The NSO finally revealed that actual membership was less than 50%. 4/
In 2004-2005, PhilHealth pushed for the Bukidnon model, which created PhilHealth funded hospitals.
This was a duplication of the work of LGU hospitals, which remained underfunded.
In that period, Region 10 was spending almost the same as NCR. This was just unsustainable. 5/
This was a duplication of the work of LGU hospitals, which remained underfunded.
In that period, Region 10 was spending almost the same as NCR. This was just unsustainable. 5/
Under BS Aquino, PhilHealth's budget ballooned from P2 billion to P57 billion. But overall, patients were still paying 60% of hospital expenses from their own pockets!
Saan napupunta yung mga bilyon?
Paying out private healthcare providers. Mahihirap ba ang pumupunta dyan? 6/
Saan napupunta yung mga bilyon?
Paying out private healthcare providers. Mahihirap ba ang pumupunta dyan? 6/
Since 2010, 9 out of the 10 hospitals with the BIGGEST reimbursements from PhilHealth have been PRIVATE hospitals.
How many indigent patients go to these hospitals?
Yet govt hospitals, those who actually cater to the poor, remained largely and severely underfunded. 7/
How many indigent patients go to these hospitals?
Yet govt hospitals, those who actually cater to the poor, remained largely and severely underfunded. 7/
In 2012, 114 million pesos was stolen by a syndicate involving PhilHealth employees. The amount represented premium payments for 22k employees of a BPO company.
Nakapangalan na sa PhilHealth yung tseke, nanakaw pa.
Investigations were conducted. Umingay. May nangyari ba? 8/
Nakapangalan na sa PhilHealth yung tseke, nanakaw pa.
Investigations were conducted. Umingay. May nangyari ba? 8/
So if anyone is serious about rooting out corruption in PhilHealth:
- Study its history
- Investigate Duque, as its long serving and controversial president
- Investigate the failure of DOH oversight
- Investigate the regions and the dynamics there
That's just the start. 9/
- Study its history
- Investigate Duque, as its long serving and controversial president
- Investigate the failure of DOH oversight
- Investigate the regions and the dynamics there
That's just the start. 9/
Investigate PhilHealth for accountability.
But PhilHealth is NOT the way to go for health devt in PH.
Healthcare is not a commodity to be sold and bought. That is how PhilHealth operates.
PhilHealth is NOT the way to "health for all".
Primary Health Care is the way. 10/10
But PhilHealth is NOT the way to go for health devt in PH.
Healthcare is not a commodity to be sold and bought. That is how PhilHealth operates.
PhilHealth is NOT the way to "health for all".
Primary Health Care is the way. 10/10
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